The 2011 Kasadyahan Festival of Iloilo’s famous Dinagyang celebration will focus on environmental and cultural themes.

Dr. Eden Deriada, chairman of the Kasadayahan competition, said participating towns will have to incorporate environmental awareness and or cultural aspects in their presentation on January 22, 2011.

The Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) on the other hand has increased the prizes and subsidies for the Kasadyahan festival tribes to encourage them to perform better and present the best of their respective towns, she said.

The champion for the Kasadyahan 2011 event will receive P120,000 plus trophy. The first runner will get P60,000; second runner-up, P45,000; and third runner-up, P35,000.

The subsidy is now P130,000 for old tribes, while P100,000 for new participants.

Tribu Mandurrianon performs during the Kasadyahan 2010

Deriada said 10 municipalities have already confirmed participation in the festival. These include the Tribu Binanog of the municipality of Lambunao; Patubas of Barotac Viejo; Kasag of Banate; Tultugan of Maasin; Pantat of Zarraga; and Tinuom of Cabatuan.

Other towns with contingents are all first time participants. These are Tribu Pandayan of the municipality of Badiangan; Pagdihon of Dingle; Kagayunon of Alimodian; and Hiliusa of Barotac Nuevo.

Most of the towns will send the winners of their respective festivals for the Kasadyahan. This is to showcase their indigenous and cultural heritage during the event, Deriada said.